Mr. David Umahi, the Minister of Works, said that a three-month period of thorough rehabilitation of the 11.8-kilometer Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos will start on November 1.
Umahi made this statement while inspecting the Third Mainland Bridge’s underdeck and lagoon portions, among other bridges.
Umahi, a group of engineers, Federal Ministry of Works directors, and journalists examined the Third Mainland, Carter, Independence, and Falomo Bridges’ lagoon portions. Umahi also examined Apapa’s Marina Bridge.
He stated that all of the Third Mainland Bridge’s resurfacing will be completed by midnight on the weekend with the least amount of inconvenience to drivers.
The minister claimed to have conducted an inspection.
“We are going to mill out the excess asphalt and retain only two millimetres,” he said.
The minister said the proposed maintenance of Third Mainland Bridge, which would last three months was the first phase meant to secure the integrity as well aesthetics of the upper deck components of the bridge.
He explained that the maintenance of the aesthetics would include replacement of the railings, installation of solar-powered lights and CCTV cameras for optimal security of the bridge.
The minister assured road users that the three-month maintenance work would be without discomfort to motorists, as it would take place only between midnight and 4am and during weekends.
He added that more than one contractor would be engaged due to the emergency nature of the work, which would end in Phase Four; that will entail the repairs of deflected slabs, bearings, piers and pile caps.
The minister lamented that most of the bridges were about 60 years old and had outlived their design lifespan, hence the need for constant rehabilitation.
Umahi, who is a civil engineer, said the Marina Shoreline had deteriorated and was threatening the foundation of some parts of the Blue Rail Line, hence the need for urgent protection which had begun.
“Marina shoreline is gone,” he said.
The minister warned that henceforth a 10-year maintenance responsibility would be attached to projects for contractors to bear repair costs within the period if the road failed.
He added that contractors who constructed roads that failed within two years risked jail term in line with global practices to curb shoddy constructions.
Third Mainland Bridge was earlier closed for 24-hour repairs from midnight on October 21 to midnight October 22 for emergency resurfacing of some bad portions.
